Ang Lee’s Ode to 1969
Taking Woodstock is not a concert film. Let’s get that out of the way first. If you’re looking to see footage of Janis Joplin or hear the strains of Jimi Hendrix, this is not the movie for you.
The use of what looks like archival footage is lovely touch as is the now-dated look of split-screen action. In most films they wouldn’t work, but in a film about an era in which they were originally used, it would be out of place not to use the techniques.
The film is rosy-tinted in its view. Though it hints at a darker side with police raids on gay clubs and angry neighbors painting swastikas, it remains a brightly-colored world of love and hope and joy.
I can see why Mr. Lee wanted to make this film; as he said, after six tragedies in a row, he wanted to do a comedy. This light, effervescent film is a love song to bright new beginnings and to what might be.